Candor 



In my daily rambles I find abundant evidence 

 of this delightful condition, to use a popular 

 example of accepted method of distorting lan- 

 guage. If others do not, it is because they meas- 

 ure the out-door world by drawing-room stand- 

 ards, and so frequently is this done that many 

 a misinterpretation of what a bird or beast does 

 or means has very often been given us. The 

 hissing of snakes, harsh chirping of birds, and 

 snarls of the wild wood's furry folk are candid 

 expressions of these various creatures' opinions 

 and not necessarily uncomplimentary because 

 vigorously uttered. Wild life knows nothing of 

 white lies. It simply says what it feels, and is 

 willing to accept all consequences. If you enter 

 its domain in a friendly way and not on mischief 

 bent, you will not be berated, but asked only 

 that the golden rule be obeyed. Not long ago, in 

 the white light of a full moon, I came suddenly 

 face to face with a jovial, roving owl. It stared 

 at me for a moment, clicked its bill, chattered 

 a few syllables, crisp as the breaking of thin 

 ice, and left its perch abruptly. The true inter- 

 pretation was : "I doubt your motive in being 

 here." It acted accordingly. Here was can- 

 dor. But if I am suddenly confronted by a 



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